Chapter 221
After their passionate encounter, the two lingered in each other's arms for a long time, falling asleep together in the quilt until nightfall. Later, Bai Ling knocked on the door and stood in the corridor to report on the progress of what she had done that afternoon. Ji Wanshu listened through the door, forcing herself to stay awake. As soon as Bai Ling left, she went back inside and cuddled Wen Chaoyu until dawn the next day.
Knowing that Ji Wanshu had been exhausted these past few days, the disciples did not dare to disturb her good sleep. However, Bai Ling came again early in the morning and stood outside the door to deliver a message: "Is Senior Sister awake yet? Martial Uncle asked me to come and tell you that she is leaving for a few days."
Wen Chaoyu was still asleep when she heard the noise. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she turned over. Ji Wanshu tucked her in, put on his coat, opened the door, and asked, "Where is Uncle-Master going?"
Bai Ling shook her head: "They didn't say, but Jingyue Peak received a carrier pigeon yesterday evening. I think it must have been a letter from Xiao Qiu. Perhaps Uncle is setting off ahead of time to bring her back."
Ji Wanshu responded, glanced back at the sleeping Wen Chaoyu, and said, "Then I'll go take a look."
Bai Ling followed her down the steps and left the courtyard together, heading to the stables to prepare a carriage for Man Jiangxue. When she arrived, she saw a familiar figure squatting on the flowerbed, looking worried and seemingly in a bad mood.
"What are you doing here so early in the morning?" Bai Lingxing asked, stepping forward with some curiosity.
Duan Ning, brandishing his long whip with his right hand still bandaged and slinged to his chest, looked up at Bai Ling upon hearing this and said, "Come pick a carriage; we're getting ready to head home."
Bai Ling scrutinized her: "Your hand isn't healed yet, why don't you rest it for a couple more days before you leave?"
Duan Ning was depressed and remained silent.
In the blink of an eye, she had been staying at Yunhua Palace for more than half a month. During this time, she had been staying in the guest room to recover from her injury. Although it was just a dislocation, it takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone, and it is not something that can be cured so quickly.
“If it weren’t for the fact that my dad would nag me endlessly if I went home injured, I would have left long ago,” Duan Ning sighed and jumped down from the flower bed. “But I can’t keep eating and drinking here for free, it’s time to leave.”
"What are you saying? You are a distinguished guest of our palace," Bai Ling said. "If it weren't for your fine horses, Senior Sister Ji and Uncle Wen wouldn't have been able to return from Jin Huai City so quickly. Besides, you helped Uncle Wen in the tunnel when we were chasing the sect leader, which is why you were injured. You've helped us so much, so we should treat you well. How can you say you're freeloading?"
The first rays of dawn broke through the clouds, and the sky was clear with few wisps of cloud, promising another sunny day. Duan Ning hadn't brought any spare clothes, so she put on the Yunhua Palace disciple's robes upon arriving at the palace. She was always dressed extravagantly, with everything from the pearl hairpins in her hair to the clothes she wore being precious and luxurious. But now, wearing these clean and simple white disciple's robes, she appeared exceptionally fresh and refined, less flamboyant than before, and more beautiful and dignified.
Sunlight streamed down, casting a thin mist over the two of them. Duan Ning, unlike her usual spirited self, appeared unusually somber. She sighed again and said, "You're all so busy, and no one's keeping me company. I'm getting bored here. I should go home; I'll have to leave sooner or later anyway."
Bai Ling actually felt guilty towards her because of this. Lately, there had indeed been a lot of big and small matters to attend to in the palace, and the disciples were all busy with their own affairs. Bai Ling hadn't had time to come and see her, and it was truly a failure to provide adequate hospitality. Bai Ling smiled and said, "What's the rush? I was just talking about you with Senior Sister Ji a couple of days ago. Once things settle down, if you want to go to the palace to become a disciple, she'll make the arrangements for you. Besides, your injuries haven't healed yet, and you didn't bring any guards this time. How can we feel at ease if you go home alone?"
Duan Ning waved her hand and said calmly, "Forget it, I've thought about it a lot these past two weeks. I won't come to Yunhua anymore. My father only has me as his daughter. This family is so big and prosperous. If I join a martial arts sect, no one will take over our Duan family's huge business. Everyone has their own destiny. I'm destined not to enter the martial arts world, and I don't have the ability. I'd better go back to being a proper young lady and learn the ways of business from my father. I won't be playful anymore."
"What's wrong with you?" Bai Ling looked her up and down, clicking her tongue in amazement. "It's only been half a month, and you're like a completely different person. I never thought you were so sensible before. What made you suddenly have such a profound realization?"
Duan Ning paused for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Do you have someone you like?"
Bai Ling paused, thought for a moment, and said, "No, I don't think so." Then she smiled knowingly and drew out an "Oh," and said, "So that's why you're troubled by love. Who have you fallen for?"
Duan Ning didn't answer, but asked in return, "You don't have anyone you like? That can't be right. There are so many people in Yunhua, both men and women, who are outstanding in both appearance and character. Haven't you ever had feelings for anyone?"
Bai Ling said, "Where would I find the time to be romantic? I have to take care of Liuli Peak and help Senior Sister Ji and the others. There are so many complicated and trivial things to do. I'm lucky if I can have a quiet day to relax. I don't have the energy to think about those things."
Duan Ning gave her a complicated look and said in a mature tone, "There's nothing I can say to you. You wouldn't understand."
“What’s so hard to understand? I don’t necessarily need to know how to brew wine to drink,” Bai Ling said with great interest, nudging Duan Ning with her elbow. “Who is it? Tell me, maybe I can come up with some ideas for you?”
Duan Ning was bored in this place, and there was no one to talk to and relieve her boredom. Seeing this, she said frankly, "Alright, it's Meng Jing."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ling's face immediately turned shocked, and she stammered, "Ah...? Meng... Meng Jing?"
"I told you, so stop making a fuss, okay?" Duan Ning said impatiently, and plopped down on the flower bed again.
"Anyone would be making a fuss about this, right?" Bai Ling looked around and, seeing that no one was passing by, asked again, "You've only met him a few times, and you don't have any deep interactions. How come you've fallen for Meng Jing?"
Duan Ning swung her whip, leaving marks on the ground. She lowered her head and said softly, "Who knows? Maybe this is what they mean by 'love arises without knowing why'? But I haven't reached the point of being deeply in love, nor have I fallen completely in love. It's just that I can't help but think about her all the time, day and night. I feel like I'm going crazy."
Hearing this, Bai Ling frowned and hesitated, "But Meng Jing, he..."
“I know, she told me,” Duan Ning looked at the ground, his gaze slightly distorted. “I not only know that she likes Yin Qiu, but I also know that she doesn’t have long to live.”
Bai Ling sighed softly, "That's difficult then. Why did you have to like him of all people? I didn't mean to say he was bad, it's just..."
“That’s why I’m worried,” Duan Ning put away his whip, stood up, “Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore. Please prepare a carriage for me, I’ll leave today.”
Upon learning this, Bai Ling felt it was inappropriate to continue trying to persuade her, and asked, "Have you decided? Are you really leaving today?"
“Yes, it’s decided,” Duan Ning said. “I’ll leave sooner or later.”
Bai Ling looked at her and nodded, saying, "Alright, my martial aunt will also be coming down the mountain later. Her injuries haven't healed yet, so she can't ride a horse by herself. I have to go with her. Cangzhou is in the same direction as Yaoding City, so you can set off with us and look after each other on the way."
Duan Ning nodded: "Thank you very much."
"While it's still early, go say goodbye to Meng Jing," Bai Ling said. "I'll send someone to fetch you later."
Duan Ning hesitated for a moment, but still agreed.
After the fierce battle at Shangyuan City, many disciples in the palace were killed or wounded. Since then, Meng Jing has mostly stayed in the Medical Pavilion and hasn't gone to Wenxin Peak. She was too busy to pay attention to others. Duan Ning had been staying here for more than half a month, but he had only seen Meng Jing a handful of times.
At first, Duan Ning could shamelessly go to her and enthusiastically do what she could for her. However, there were many injured people and many things to do in the medical pavilion. Duan Ning had never served others before, so how could she do such a thing as taking care of people? In addition, she was clumsy and inept. She did not help much in the two days she went there, but instead caused Meng Jing a lot of trouble.
Although Meng Jing never blamed her and never even gave her a displeased look, the other disciples couldn't stand it. If it weren't for the many favors Duan Ning had done for Yunhua Palace, the disciples would have kicked her out long ago. Even so, they couldn't help but show some disdain and impatience in their words and actions. Duan Ning wasn't stupid; she naturally knew that she had only made things worse and annoyed people, so she stopped going to the medical pavilion as often as possible afterward.
At first, Meng Jing would specially send someone to invite her over for meals, but later Meng Jing was so busy that he couldn't spare a moment to think about Duan Ning. Duan Ning wanted to see her, but she was afraid of burdening her. In addition, although Meng Jing's attitude towards her was humble and polite, seemingly no different from usual, Duan Ning could tell that she was gradually distancing herself from her. This made Duan Ning even less interested in going to the medical pavilion. She either stayed in her guest room all day sleeping or wandered around alone. She was living a very stifling life and had no one to confide in.
All signs indicate that she can no longer stay in Yunhua Palace and cannot integrate into it; it is indeed time for her to leave.
It was still early, and the medical pavilion was quiet; apart from the disciples of medicine, there were hardly any other figures to be seen. Duan Ning hesitated at the entrance for a while, then finally sighed and went inside. Meng Jing was in the medicine preparation room, brewing medicinal soup with several fellow disciples to be distributed later. Duan Ning watched her from afar in the corridor for a while, then, after thinking for a moment, turned and walked away without a word.
But she hadn't gone far when she heard Meng Jing suddenly call out to her from behind, "Miss Duan."
Duan Ning paused, turned around, and saw Meng Jing standing on the steps. Her light blue pine robe accentuated her delicate features, making her look like a magnolia in the spring night, exceptionally graceful and elegant.
“I was just about to come find you,” Meng Jing said as the two met in the courtyard. “Now that you’re here, come inside and sit down so I can take a look at your injury.”
Duan Ning replied listlessly, "Oh."
Once inside the room, Meng Jing instructed his fellow disciples to leave for the time being. Duan Ning picked out a chair and sat down. Meng Jing first asked, "Have you had breakfast yet?"
Duan Ning hadn't used it yet, but he answered insincerely, "I used it."
Meng Jing glanced at her and said, "Useless is useless, why lie? I haven't had a chance to eat yet either, let's eat together."
As she spoke, she opened the food box on the table, and the first dish she took out was a plate of cold shrimp balls. Duan Ning smelled the aroma, and her stomach immediately growled twice. Meng Jing seemed not to hear it and didn't even look at Duan Ning. Duan Ning felt extremely embarrassed and could only ask, "How did you know I didn't have breakfast?"
Meng Jing added porridge to her bowl, handed her chopsticks, and said in a low voice, "You usually seem very energetic, but you actually have a weak stomach. If you don't eat, your lips will turn pale. When you came here a few mornings ago, your complexion looked okay, but today it's not so good, so I guess you haven't eaten."
Duan Ning herself knew that she had a bad spleen and stomach. It was a problem caused by her picky eating since she was a child. If there were no dishes she liked, she would rather starve to death than eat them. She suffered a lot because of this problem. When she was hungry, she would see stars and feel dizzy. Meng Jing had taken her pulse before, and he must have found out about it then.
Upon hearing this, Duan Ning felt a sudden pang of anxiety. Unaccustomed to her left hand, she fiddled with the chopsticks for a while without eating a single bite. Meng Jing then handed her a spoon. Duan Ning looked at the spoon, then at her favorite cold shrimp salad, and finally gave up eating, saying, "Never mind, I'm not hungry." She stood up, adding, "I just came to let you know; I'll be leaving soon."
Upon hearing this, Meng Jing was neither surprised nor did he try to stop him. He simply said, "Sit a little longer. It's not too late for me to leave after I've examined your injuries."
Duan Ning remained silent, quietly watching her.
From her perspective, Meng Jing sat upright, with a slender figure and neatly tied black hair. Her gentle and refined eyes held a hint of innate coldness, making one imagine that when she smiled, it was as warm as a spring breeze, and when her expression turned slightly cold, it was as chilling as winter snow.
Whether she smiles or not, she is two different people.
Duan Ning appeared calm on the surface, but her heart was filled with increasing sorrow and anxiety. She stood by the door, letting the cold wind blow on her to calm herself down. After Meng Jing finished eating, she returned. Meng Jing examined her injuries, lifted her collar, and first massaged her with medicated oil to improve blood circulation. He then inserted two acupuncture needles and applied some ointment, saying, "The swelling has gone down. It's nothing serious. The bandages can be removed in a couple of days."
Duan Ning was in so much pain that he broke out in a cold sweat, but he didn't yell like he used to. Meng Jing washed his hands and called in his fellow disciples who had left, saying as they walked, "Alright, I'll see you off."
The courtyard was ablaze with peach blossoms, and a gust of wind sent a shower of petals flying. Duan Ning, who had never liked reading, especially hated memorizing poetry, was now captivated by the beautiful scene before her, finding it quite poetic. She wanted to recite a few lines, but her vocabulary was limited. She racked her brains for a long time, but couldn't come up with a single poem suitable for the occasion. Frustrated, Duan Ning exclaimed, "I'm going to die! I must be sick!"
Before Meng Jing could speak, he heard a senior brother behind him laugh and say, "His hand is still in a sling, so he must be sick."
Just as he was about to step off the last step, Duan Ning suddenly turned around, grabbed Meng Jing's shoulder, and pinned her against a pillar in front of his fellow disciples. With one foot on the railing, Duan Ning asked domineeringly, "I can't take it anymore! I'll ask you one question: are you going to be with me or not!"
Meng Jing was caught off guard and his back hurt from the impact. He stared at Duan Ning without saying a word.
"Stop being so wishy-washy!" Duan Ning said fiercely. "Just say it straight, don't give me all that nonsense! What is it about me, Duan Ning, that makes me unworthy of you?"
The fellow disciples stood silently in the room, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Meng Jing remained expressionless and said calmly, "It is I who am not good enough for you."
"Bullshit!" Duan Ning shouted angrily, "Whether you're good enough or not is up to me to decide. If I say you're good enough, then you're good enough!"
Meng Jing was speechless and choked with emotion, and could only let out a sigh.
“Miss Duan, I have already told you what I needed to say. Perhaps you don’t care about my background or that I am dying, but I cannot do that. Besides, for two people to be together, they need to be in love, have a deep connection, and have the consent and support of their families. Even if all of the above can be put aside for the time being, you want to pledge your life to me. How are you going to explain that to Mr. Duan?”
Duan Ning said, "There's nothing to explain. I'm the one who wants to get married, so I have to choose my own husband. If he likes someone, he can marry him himself. Even if the Heavenly King himself comes, he can't stop me!"
Meng Jing said, "But if I promise you, I can't be responsible for you, and I can't accompany you for the rest of my life. Life is so long, and I don't have much time left. I would be a burden to you."
“Ten years is enough,” Duan Ning said. “If you die, I’ll remarry. What’s the big deal? Anyway, I like you now and want to be with you. Yin Qiu is already someone else’s. You can’t think about her now. Even if someone else likes you, they definitely won’t want to marry you. Nobody wants to be a widow. It may sound harsh, but it’s the truth. You can stay with me for as long as you want. Why worry about so much? If you die, you’re dead. It’s not your business what happens after that. Why are you so concerned?”
Meng Jing was momentarily stunned, speechless by her frankness and courage.
"Anyway, all I know is that people should enjoy life while they can and not leave any regrets," Duan Ning released Meng Jing, returning to his usual cheerful self. "If you still don't want to, that's fine. I won't force you. No one in this world can have everything they want, so there's nothing shameful about not getting what you want. At least I didn't back down, and I've tried again and again. If this has caused you any trouble, I apologize. But if you change your mind someday, or if you want to experience a marriage before you die of illness, then send this thing to my house."
She took a pearl flower from her hair and put it in Meng Jing's hand.
"If you're willing, the remaining ten years won't just be about you spending time with me, I can spend time with you too. That's all I have to say. The rest is up to you," Duan Ning took a few steps back, hurriedly descended the steps, then turned back with a hearty smile, his eyebrows dancing with excitement. "But let me remind you one last time, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Think it over carefully!"
Meng Jing held the pearl flower and leaned against the pillar without moving.
Duan Ning strode out of the courtyard and quickly disappeared from sight.
"Junior brother... I think what Miss Duan said makes sense. Why don't you consider it?"
"Yes, this girl is a bit hot-tempered, but she's not a bad person at heart. In fact, she's more open-minded and insightful than many people. She's a good match for you."
"Everyone should have a marriage after coming into this world. It doesn't have to be a grand and passionate one, but rather a long and steady relationship, with mutual respect and courtesy. Your master has been worried about your marriage for the past two years. Now that a girl likes you, this is a good thing. Think about it yourself."
The rain of petals came and went, covering his hair. Meng Jing looked down at the pearl flower in his palm and frowned slightly.
After a long silence, she sighed almost imperceptibly and said, "Alright, I'll think about it..."
Duan Ning left the medical pavilion, her steps light and cheerful, her mood brightening instantly, dispelling the previous gloom. Two carriages were parked at the palace gate, where Ji Wanshu and Wen Chaoyu were talking with Man Jiangxue. Bai Ling spotted Duan Ning in the distance and, upon meeting her, asked, "I was just about to send someone to call you. Have you said goodbye to Meng Jing?"
Duan Ning nodded, jumped into the carriage behind and got in first. Ji Wanshu glanced at the sky, handed the prepared travel money to Bai Ling, and said to Man Jiangxue, "Uncle-Master's injuries have not yet healed, so it's best to travel slowly and not tire yourself out."
Man Jiangxue hummed in agreement, then, seeing Wen Chaoyu leaning sleepily against Ji Wanshu, she subconsciously glanced at the two of them a few more times. Noticing the somewhat ambiguous look in her eyes, Wen Chaoyu asked suspiciously, "What are you looking at?"
Man Jiangxue withdrew her gaze, made a move to go towards the carriage, and said, "It's nothing."
Wen Chaoyu watched her retreating figure and called out, "You always pretend to be righteous, but you're actually a wicked person inside. Can't you just say what you want to say?"
Man Jiangxue turned her head expressionlessly, raised her chin at her, and said, "Neither of you like to use rouge and powder. Xiao Qiu has two boxes, though. Go to Chenxing Palace later to get them and cover it up."
"Cover it up?" Wen Chaoyu was completely confused. "...Cover what?"
Ji Wanshu was also puzzled. Turning her head, she noticed that Wen Chaoyu's neck was covered in red marks. She hadn't noticed them before, but the strong mountain wind at the palace gate had blown Wen Chaoyu's hair back, making the bite marks very clear.
Ji Wanshu's eyelids twitched, and she casually pulled Wen Chaoyu's collar up. Wen Chaoyu immediately understood what she meant when she saw this action.
“…Go early and come back early,” Wen Chaoyu said with a straight face, looking at Man Jiangxue as if nothing had happened. “I won’t see you off down the mountain.”
Man Jiangxue calmly entered the carriage without saying a word. Bai Ling leaped off the horse, nodded to Ji Wanshu and Wen Chaoyu, and then led the disciples down the mountain path.
Although Cangzhou and Yaodingcheng are in the same direction, they are not exactly on the same route. However, because of Duan Ning, Bai Ling still asked Man Jiangxue for permission and took an extra day to send her back to Yaodingcheng.
A few days later, the carriage stopped at the city gate. Duan Ning had already removed his bandages, thanked and said goodbye to Man Jiangxue, Bai Ling and the others, and then went into the city alone to head towards the Duan family.
During her absence, she did not forget to send letters home. When the gatekeepers saw Duan Ning return, they were overjoyed and showed her great concern and care.
Duan Ning responded to each of them and was about to go and pay his respects to Master Duan when he heard someone behind him ask, "Excuse me, gentlemen, may I ask if this is the Duan family residence?"
"Indeed, may I ask what brings you here?" a servant asked.
The man smiled and ordered his men to bring over a carved wooden box, saying, "I am a disciple of the Nine Immortals Hall, and I have come here on the orders of my hall master to disturb you. This is something my hall master instructed me to present to your young lady. I hope you will pass it on to her."
Upon hearing this, Duan Ning immediately stopped and went out again, saying, "I'm right here, what is that?"
The man bowed, handed the wooden box to her, and said, "Miss Duan will know as soon as she sees it."
Duan Ning gave a signal, and the servant beside him quickly took the wooden box. When he opened it, he found a brand-new, exquisite bow inside.
The bow, shaped like a crescent moon, gleams with a cool silver light, its form graceful and its color lustrous. The bowstring, taut and straight like a shooting star, exudes both antiquity and elegance. The case also contains about ten arrows, slender and sharp, gleaming with a beautiful, cold light—the bow is fine, and the arrows are fine too.
Duan Ning was stunned, his breath caught in his throat, and he stood there dumbfounded.
"This was made by our Nine Immortals Hall's famous master craftsman," the man said with a smile. "It's a treasure that you can't buy anywhere else. Miss Duan is fortunate to have it, so you must cherish it and not ruin it."
The image of that rainy spring night flashed before my eyes, where the two met for the first time, chatting and laughing in the garden, testing their archery skills, and instantly becoming fast friends.
"I like your bow, sell it to me?"
"That won't do. If you really want it, I'll have my master have someone make another one for you."
"That works too!"
...
An indescribable pain welled up in Duan Ning's heart. He gently stroked the bow and arrow, and tears gradually welled up in his eyes.
"I understand," she said with a deep sigh, her eyes closed. "Thank you."
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